Global eyes: critical perspectives of an interconnected world

The symposium will highlight student research on the complex array of social forces that characterize our increasingly interconnected world and will provide networking for students and faculty who are shaping how we approach these important topics and/or will provide leadership in the study of global issues in the future.

We encourage a wide variety of research topics on diverse areas including (but not limited to) the economy, gender, health, education, politics, media, nationalism, ethnicity, spirituality, and community. We invite papers from various disciplines within humanities, sciences, social sciences and professional schools that address the theme of interconnectedness. Submissions that employ diverse theories, genres, and methodologies of research in a plurality of historical and geographical contexts are encouraged.

Students selected to present will be notified via email by March 18th; final papers will then be due April 1st by 5:00 p.m.

The Center for Global Studies at Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh’s Global Studies Center and the will host the event April 11, 2016 at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, PA. The symposium will include a keynote lecture, student presentations and student networking.

Once abstracts are submitted and approved, papers will be clustered according to general themes that emerge. While we are not giving our awards, notable papers from each cluster will be highlighted on the Center for Global Studies’ website.

Do not hesitate to inquire if you have questions about paper topics or symposium logistics.

Penn State students should contact Sarah Lyall-Combs, Associate Director, Center for Global Studies at cgsinfo@psu.edu.

"The Lack of Clean Water and Sanitation Continues to Cause Preventable Diseases In Refugee Camps in Africa"

"Substance Abuse Among Native Americans and Alaskan Natives"

"Examining the Rising Rates of Heroin and Prescription Opioid Overdose in the United States"

3:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks (Room 108, General Session Main Meeting Room) by Dr. Sophia McClennen followed by End of Symposium Survey

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Afternoon Coffee Break (centrally located Coffee Break Area)

How to Apply

Students must submit an application form and abstract (for help in writing effective abstracts visit here). From the submitted abstracts, a selection committee will determine which participants will be asked to forward finished research papers for participation at the symposium. Please forward finished research papers to Sarah Lyall-Combs at cgsinfo@psu.edu. Students will receive feedback based on specific judging criteria.

Presenters will be grouped into panel sessions according to categories that emerge from the papers selected.

Preparing for the Symposium

There is an eight page minimum for papers. Papers must be double-spaced, with citations of at least eight resources (using MLA format). Please format your papers using a one inch margin and a 12-point standard font (Times New Roman and Arial for example).

Student presentations will be limited to 12 minutes with an additional five minutes for questions from faculty and audience. All rooms will be media equipped should you wish to prepare a Powerpoint to accompany your presentation.

A minimum of three judges will read the research papers prior to the event and provide comments. During the presentation sessions, the panel and audience will listen to each student’s presentation and ask questions.

The Center for Global Studies

The Pennsylvania State University | 347 Burrowes Building | University Park, PA 16082